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Robbie's plans inculding info re Keatings and Zeefuik


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Robbie Neilson says the uncertainty surrounding Genero Zeefuik's future is one of the reasons he has already began his search for new strikers.

The Hearts boss has put plans in place to improve his squad ahead of their move up to the Premiership next season and wants to replace his departing goalscorer as soon as possible.

Zeefuik is on-loan to Tynecastle from Groningen but is expected to return home to Holland in the summer.

The Dutchman has scored 10 goals in 13 appearances since arriving in Edinburgh at the start of January, but unless he rejoins on another loan spell Neilson doesn't think they will have his services again next year.

"Genero is on-loan so will go back to Groningen in the summer," the manager explained. "[Keeping him] is something I'd like to do but realistically I don't think I will.

"I think Groningen will want to take him back, they paid half a million euros for him two years ago so I can't see them letting him go on a free.

"If he comes available realistically it's going to be once the window shuts. If he comes to an agreement with Groningen then we can look at it but we can't wait 'til then.

"He came in in January and did exactly what I wanted him to do, lead the line and score goals. He goes back with our best wishes and possibly we can do something over the summer."

Hearts boss: We need new strikers but James Keatings will be staying

Robbie Neilson went on to clear up rumours James Keatings would be leaving Hearts in the summer, saying the striker wants to stay and fight for his place.

The manager has made it clear they are searching for new goalscorers to join the squad but Keatings wants to see out the rest of his contract.

"James has still got a year left here," he said. "He is still a big part of the club. But I will be looking to bring strikers in and the strikers here know that so it's up to them if they want to stay and fight for their place or whether they want to go and play anywhere else.

"I'll never stand in anyone's way, if a player wants to move on then that's up to them but the conversation I've had with James is that he wants to stay and fight for his place.

"We've spoke to some players, some players have spoke to us as well about their plans for next season.

"It's like any football club, people come and people go. We're taking a big step up again so I have to change the squad. I have to evolve and get different, better players in.

"We're in the process of speaking to agents and players. We're still looking for players but there's nothing concrete at the minute.

"I'd like to get something sorted pretty soon but in football you just don't know until it's signed, sealed and delivered."

 

http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/hearts/317592-robbie-neilson-zeefuik-uncertainty-prompts-premiership-striker-search/

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Dusk_Till_Dawn

I really hope we don't pay cash for the big fella.

 

Well, judging by Neilson's comments we won't. Not bothered tbh (which doesn't mean I don't rate his contribution. Just not sold on him.)

 

Pleased about Keatings though.

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James Keatings stays = GOOD NEWS

 

does some quality work eg earlier saw his pass for that great team goal by Billy King 4-1 v Falkirk

 

well done James

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I'll take flak here... but ... if we had the chance to take Zeefuk on a free then it's still a no for me.

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airdriejambo3

I am very pleased Keatings is staying I think his contribution this season has earned him at very least a chance to prove himself at SPL level. I also agree that we should let Zeefuik go back to his club with the offer of a chance at a move if he finds himself without a club next summer. But to be honest I think we could find a striker that offers more than he brings to the table.

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Keatings staying.

 

:pleasing:

 

Cue all those Hibs fans who were thinking they should try sign him now saying he is pish, not as good as cummings and glad he won't be approached :lol:

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I just wonder if Robbie is waiting to see if Zeefuik will continue his fitness improvement or slip back into what seems to have been his pre Hearts ways.

 

His goal scoring record indicates he would be worth having on board and if he kept fit and indeed had a tough pre season behind him may well improve.

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james is well worth keeping if even just for the fact he offers something completely different to Sow meaning we can change tactics very easily during a game. Not a player a centre half would relish coming onto the pitch after an hour.

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Dagger Is Back

I'll take flak here... but ... if we had the chance to take Zeefuk on a free then it's still a no for me.

I'm with you. Waste of a precious wage. Unfit, looks disinterested most of the time, and will come up against far better, stronger and more physically fit players next year.

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I'm with you. Waste of a precious wage. Unfit, looks disinterested most of the time, and will come up against far better, stronger and more physically fit players next year.

I wouldn't keep him either, free or not.

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I'll take flak here... but ... if we had the chance to take Zeefuk on a free then it's still a no for me.

Tend to agree with this

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10 goals in 13

 

Waste of space

 

Come on guys just admit you don't want him because he is carrying a bit of weight

 

:)

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Okay I'll go against the grain. I like Zeefuik and would keep him if possible.

 

In the last few games the service to him has been shocking. It's quite simple. Give him the ball in and around the box and he will score. Just don't ask him to run the channels or sprint 30 yards to chase lost causes.

 

Great news about Keats though

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Keatings is a good option to have. I'll be surprised if he ends up getting an extension to his contract however.

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Valar Morghulis

May have already been mentioned, but I found Robbie's comments about Jason Holt very interesting. Confirmed we'll be due compensation and also hinted that there's a possibility of him coming back. He said he'd expect Holt to play more games next season for us than this one, due to formation.

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I'll take flak here... but ... if we had the chance to take Zeefuk on a free then it's still a no for me.

If you asked me after his first 4 or 5 games I would Def have took him but the effort from him(despite still getting goals)in his last 5 games has put me totally off him.
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So some would not want a striker who would score 30 goals in a full season more or less based on his average so far.

 

Yet seem keen to keep a striker who runs about more but scores far less.

 

I'll take the goalscorer please.........though happy to see that Keats is going to fight for his place.

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Hungry hippo

Zeefuik - average.

Keats - fast, nice touch, great finishing.

 

 

Happy at this

I love Keatings and hope he stays but Zeefuik has a better touch, goal scoring record and link up play.

 

I hope we can keep both people slagging off Zeefuik purely because he's not a runner. There's a lot more to the game than that.

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Craig Gordons Gloves

So some would not want a striker who would score 30 goals in a full season more or less based on his average so far.

 

Yet seem keen to keep a striker who runs about more but scores far less.

 

I'll take the goalscorer please.........though happy to see that Keats is going to fight for his place.

 

I don't know the actual numbers, but i'm willing to bet that Keating's & Zeefuik's goals to mins ratio is pretty similar. 

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I don't know the actual numbers, but i'm willing to bet that Keating's & Zeefuik's goals to mins ratio is pretty similar. 

 

iirc, keatings is about a goal every 150 minutes and zeefuik is a goal every 100 minutes.

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Watt-Zeefuik

I'm a Zeefuik fan -- it bothers me that others don't see his value but we've been round about this plenty and aren't going to get anywhere with another round.  He's certainly not worth a ?300k transfer fee.  Once again Robbie's playing this right.

 

Glad to hear Keats will be back.  I think he's a decent sub in the top tier but we need better a better starter to pair with Sow for most games.

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Zeefuik won't get by in the Premiership putting in the same amount of effort as he has in the past few games. Being effective is as much about working hard as it is about natural skill. Even the very best -see Messi and Ronaldo- work their butts off during games.

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Rocky jamboa

Keatings has been one our better players this season so delighted he's staying. Think he is a better option alongside sow, for the big man/small man combo. Seems to like being at hearts as well.

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Zeefuik doesn't run about so like the Holt comment above it depends how we play to and around him. He's done very well albeit against poorer opposition when he's given the ball. Dumbarton away was a masterclass albeit the wind helped him have more time to control high balls.

 

He has struggled when the ball is no where near him or lumped in air from our own half.

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Keatings has been one our better players this season so delighted he's staying. Think he is a better option alongside sow, for the big man/small man combo. Seems to like being at hearts as well.

Agree with your post here. Keatings had a good run of form in the build up to Christmas and was banging them in at that point. Then ww signed Zee and big Osman came back from injury and Keatings lost his place and possibly a bit momentum in the process.

 

I feel a bit for him in this regard and I'm glad he wants to stay and fight for his place. He clearly believes he's got the ability to do so and I'd imagine RN and CL feel the same.

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Francis Albert

I don't know the actual numbers, but i'm willing to bet that Keating's & Zeefuik's goals to mins ratio is pretty similar. 

A quick sum (league games only) comes up with one goal every 98 minutes for Zee and one every 106 minutes for Keatings, so you are right. Which suggests to me both are well worth keeping if affordable. The top tier will be tougher but close to one goal per 90 minutes is good going whatever league (compare Boyd and Miller, the supposed "score for fun" players this season..

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Clerry Jambo

Delighted Keatsy staying on, a bit divided about Big Zee despite his goal return, but wouldn't be disappointed if we nabbed him for another season

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A quick sum (league games only) comes up with one goal every 98 minutes for Zee and one every 106 minutes for Keatings, so you are right. Which suggests to me both are well worth keeping if affordable. The top tier will be tougher but close to one goal per 90 minutes is good going whatever league (compare Boyd and Miller, the supposed "score for fun" players this season..

Statto did the numbers a few days back. Keatings averages a goal every 146mins on the pitch.

 

I don't have figures but wiki says zeefuik has 11 goals in 13 games. If he played every minute of every game he'd be at a goal every 117 minutes so we can conservatively say he's about a goal every 100mins.

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So much for the ban-the-singers theory.

 

Keatings will need to improve, but he undoubtedly has the desire to do that.

 

Looking forward to seeing who else comes in.

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airdriejambo3

Statto did the numbers a few days back. Keatings averages a goal every 146mins on the pitch.

 

I don't have figures but wiki says zeefuik has 11 goals in 13 games. If he played every minute of every game he'd be at a goal every 117 minutes so we can conservatively say he's about a goal every 100mins.

but Keatings had that spell of 4 or 5 games that he had little or no support and was up top on his own trying to make things happen, when Zeefuik came we were starting to get options fit again, IMO the stat that you have quoted does not really tell you the whole story. 

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The White Cockade

If this is the case then still puzzled why the big fella starts every game

give Keats his chance for rest of the season

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but Keatings had that spell of 4 or 5 games that he had little or no support and was up top on his own trying to make things happen, when Zeefuik came we were starting to get options fit again, IMO the stat that you have quoted does not really tell you the whole story.

Its pretty clear what story you want to tell.

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Although Zeefuik has a superior goal ratio I think I'd rather keep Keatings over Zeefuik, I was defending Zeefuik when others were criticising his mobility and work rate but I'm starting to come round to their way of thinking, I think Zeefuik may be a hinderance to us in the SPL, i would like us to bring in another quality striker to compete with Sow as I think Keatings will make most of his appearances off the bench.

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Bazzas right boot

I'll take flak here... but ... if we had the chance to take Zeefuk on a free then it's still a no for me.

 

On the money, not many will argue no movement, no work rate, doesn't enhance the team.

 

Keatings staying- very happy, hope he gets a run out, boy gets chances, ( 11 in 18 as eel) creates space for others and works when we are under pressure( quite important, we are Hearts, not Barca with a Messi- we need players to play as a team)

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Bazzas right boot

Delighted Keatsy staying on, a bit divided about Big Zee despite his goal return, but wouldn't be disappointed if we nabbed him for another season

His goal ratio is good, but I don't think the team plays as well, I think he literally gets in the way, makes defending too easy and the team suffers.

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His goal ratio is good, but I don't think the team plays as well, I think he literally gets in the way, makes defending too easy and the team suffers.

maybe, but he does seem to have a good effect as a sub.

 

He's something different for defenders to cope with if they've been playing against a different style of player for the previous 70 minutes.

 

Certainly when legs are tired and the concentration goes he's good to have in the penalty box......if you play to him.

 

Which leads me to another point. I think he's been too much in and out the team to see his true worth as a starter but when he has we haven't suited our shape. This comes back to the manager getting the point across. Of course he has to work hard himself but when you are a forward you undoubtedly need the support and supply. It's easy to be marked out.

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Pleased that Keatings wants to stay and fight for his place but even more pleased about the way Robbie has handled it. By going public on the Keatings situation he has made it perfectly clear to the player what is his situation is and I fully expect Keatings will start pre-season all guns blazing and trying even harder to win his place back. Apart from the recent performances of the team against Sevco and Hibs I think Robbie has exceeded all my expectations of him this season and I am a lot happier now with him at the helm than when he was announced in the post.

 

Still a bit meh over Zeefuik. If we can get him on a free then I wouldn't mind him staying and getting a full pre-season in but do we really need go into next season with two forwards who are not exactly setting the Championship on fire at present and El Hass who through no fault of his own has not had enough game time yet to prove his worth?

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10 goals in 13

 

Waste of space

 

Come on guys just admit you don't want him because he is carrying a bit of weight

 

:)

He could be the size of a blue whale and most of us wouldn't care if he was scoring goals and helping the team create chances/ keep the passing game going. It's the disinterest that he's shown to help others out by a severe lack of movement and never even attempting to go for a high ball that, IMO, gets on people's nerves. There'll be no room for passengers next year if we're aiming high, so I'm happy with the circumstances.

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Watt-Zeefuik

He could be the size of a blue whale and most of us wouldn't care if he was scoring goals and helping the team create chances/ keep the passing game going. It's the disinterest that he's shown to help others out by a severe lack of movement and never even attempting to go for a high ball that, IMO, gets on people's nerves. There'll be no room for passengers next year if we're aiming high, so I'm happy with the circumstances.

 

I said I wasn't going to get into it again but this is simply absurd.  He's done nothing but score goals since he got here, and he has played on teammates with good passing repeatedly.

 

Some folks apparently feel that all strikers should do the headless chicken run constantly, which Keatings certainly has a tendency to do.  Zee is a striker in a different mould but that seems impossible for some to understand.

 

He absolutely puts no pressure on the ball other than playing the lane back to the near centerback on defense.  If he had that ability on top of his balance, touch, and control, he would never have been at Hearts this year.

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airdriejambo3

He could be the size of a blue whale and most of us wouldn't care if he was scoring goals and helping the team create chances/ keep the passing game going. It's the disinterest that he's shown to help others out by a severe lack of movement and never even attempting to go for a high ball that, IMO, gets on people's nerves. There'll be no room for passengers next year if we're aiming high, so I'm happy with the circumstances.

i think if that was the case he would be a like a fish out of water in scotland!!

 

sorry couldn't resist 

oh and i know whales are not fish,

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Good on Keatings staying and fighting. I admire that and I wish him the best of luck.

 

He certainly won't be a passenger!

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I said I wasn't going to get into it again but this is simply absurd.  He's done nothing but score goals since he got here, and he has played on teammates with good passing repeatedly.

 

Some folks apparently feel that all strikers should do the headless chicken run constantly, which Keatings certainly has a tendency to do.  Zee is a striker in a different mould but that seems impossible for some to understand.

 

He absolutely puts no pressure on the ball other than playing the lane back to the near centerback on defense.  If he had that ability on top of his balance, touch, and control, he would never have been at Hearts this year.

theres also this attitude amongst some fans who think a player is too good to work hard and should just wait on the ball!

 

Total tosh. Maybe Zeefuik was instructed to play and stay central as much as possible but he's slowly descended to a stage where he's lost focus on what he's actually meant to do.

 

If you were there last week you'd see no impetus to say to the player in possession "give me it" or at any time attempt to run behind or bring that ebb and flow to his game when required. Very one dimensional and that dimension was zero input.

 

There's this rose tinted view he's an entity on the pitch waiting on that moment to ram in a goal or two but he'll have to work harder and get more involved v tougher teams to have an effect. No one is saying run around aimlessly because it is about timing too but there was literally no encouragement from him to indicate to his team mates he wanted the ball so bad.

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I said I wasn't going to get into it again but this is simply absurd. He's done nothing but score goals since he got here, and he has played on teammates with good passing repeatedly.

 

Some folks apparently feel that all strikers should do the headless chicken run constantly, which Keatings certainly has a tendency to do. Zee is a striker in a different mould but that seems impossible for some to understand.

 

He absolutely puts no pressure on the ball other than playing the lane back to the near centerback on defense. If he had that ability on top of his balance, touch, and control, he would never have been at Hearts this year.

I'm all for his goals to games ratio. I don't expect him to run around like a headless chicken, just that little bit of movement (even going backwards or forwards 2 yards in the penalty box so a team mate can see he's available) instead of standing waiting/ looking like he's expecting the ball.

 

Sow, Walker and King worked their socks off to get the ball up to the final third in the derby, only for example, yet he was too busy staring into space to notice all they needed was for him to move half a yard back and they'd probably have given him the ball. Even if he only laid it off from there then it would have made us more dangerous in attack, his distribution and control, etc, is usually very good I have no doubt about that. But I think that lack of awareness/ concentration/ movement whatever it is demoralises the players that have tried to give him the service to score. We need someone next year in a similar mould but with the knowledge of when to make themselves available/ work for it and when to get further up and take the ball before sending it into the net IMO. From what I've seen so far all Zeefuik does is the latter...

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theres also this attitude amongst some fans who think a player is too good to work hard and should just wait on the ball!

 

Total tosh. Maybe Zeefuik was instructed to play and stay central as much as possible but he's slowly descended to a stage where he's lost focus on what he's actually meant to do.

 

If you were there last week you'd see no impetus to say to the player in possession "give me it" or at any time attempt to run behind or bring that ebb and flow to his game when required. Very one dimensional and that dimension was zero input.

 

There's this rose tinted view he's an entity on the pitch waiting on that moment to ram in a goal or two but he'll have to work harder and get more involved v tougher teams to have an effect. No one is saying run around aimlessly because it is about timing too but there was literally no encouragement from him to indicate to his team mates he wanted the ball so bad.

Just posted my thoughts, then seen this. Think you've summarised it slightly better!

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i think if that was the case he would be a like a fish out of water in scotland!!

 

sorry couldn't resist

oh and i know whales are not fish,

:isee:

 

Maybe he's like a bird and wants to fly away?

 

Taxi for Fulton, taxi?

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Randle P McMurphy

I said I wasn't going to get into it again but this is simply absurd. He's done nothing but score goals since he got here, and he has played on teammates with good passing repeatedly.

 

Some folks apparently feel that all strikers should do the headless chicken run constantly, which Keatings certainly has a tendency to do. Zee is a striker in a different mould but that seems impossible for some to understand.

 

He absolutely puts no pressure on the ball other than playing the lane back to the near centerback on defense. If he had that ability on top of his balance, touch, and control, he would never have been at Hearts this year.

Halle feckn u lah

 

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

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